Impact dissipating ball

ABSTRACT

Impact dissipating balls are described. The impact dissipating balls, such as soccer balls, are constructed with one or more layers, sections, or portions of impact absorbing, impact dissipating materials, and/or impact dissipating structures/geometries. The particular type and/or arrangement or placement of padding can vary based on a variety of factors, such as style of impact dissipating ball, size of the impact dissipating ball, the manufacturing process of the impact dissipating ball, expected levels of impact, quality of the impact dissipating ball, and regulations with which the impact dissipating ball is intended to comply.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to the disclosure of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/205,830, entitled “IMPACT DISSIPATINGBALL,” filed Aug. 17, 2015, the disclosure of which is herein byincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Soccer is the world's most popular sport and the soccer ball is the mostimportant piece of equipment used in the game. Although the color anddesigns on the outside of a soccer ball may be different, the shape,size, and weight of regulation balls are defined by international rules.During soccer games, a player can impact the ball with their head,either intentionally or inadvertently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detaileddescription of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with thefollowing figures:

FIGS. 1-3 depict example partial cutaway views of soccer balls to showvarious internal layers thereof.

FIGS. 4-6 depict example soccer balls having internally positionedpadding layers, which are shown in phantom for the purposes ofillustration.

FIGS. 7-14 depict non-limiting example arrangements of cover panels andpadding panels.

FIG. 15 depicts a cutaway view of an example soccer ball illustrating anexample arrangement of layers.

FIG. 16A depicts a cutaway view of another example soccer ballillustrating an example arrangement of layers.

FIG. 16B depicts the soccer ball of FIG. 16A during the application ofan external force.

FIGS. 17-18 depict example padding layers having deformable voids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now bedescribed to provide an overall understanding of the principles of thestructure, function, and use of impact dissipating balls disclosedherein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the balls and methods specifically describedherein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limitingembodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection withone non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of othernon-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intendedto be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The presently disclosed embodiments are generally directed to impactdissipating balls, methods of using impact dissipating balls, andmethods of manufacturing impact dissipating balls. More specifically,the presently disclosed embodiments are generally directed to soccerballs that can be constructed with one or more layers, sections, orportions of impact absorbing, impact dissipating materials, or impactdissipating structures/geometries, referred to generally herein aspadding or a padding layer. The particular type and/or arrangement orplacement of padding can vary based on a variety of factors, such asstyle of soccer ball, size of soccer ball, the manufacturing process ofthe soccer ball, expected levels of impact, quality of the soccer ball,regulations with which the ball is intended to comply, and so forth. Asdescribed in more detail below, in some embodiments, a soccer ball canbe manufactured from multiple layers wrapped or otherwise formed aroundan airtight bladder or other type of core. In accordance with thepresent disclosure, padding can be disposed on the outer surface and/orin between various layers during the manufacturing process. This paddingcan generally serve to dissipate impact to a player when the playerstrikes the ball, such as using their head. The padding can also serveto dissipate impact when a player is inadvertently hit with the ball,such as in the face or other parts of the head.

In some embodiments, soccer balls incorporating padding satisfyappropriate regulations such as those promulgated by FédérationInternationale de Football Association (FIFA). As such, in someembodiments, soccer balls incorporating padding can be spherical, madeof leather or other suitable material, of a circumference of not morethan 70 cm and not less than 68 cm, not more than 450 g in weight andnot less than 410 g at the start of the match, and a of a pressure equalto 0.6-1.1 atmosphere (600-1100 g/cm²) at sea level. Soccer balls foryouth games can have smaller dimensions and weights. As is to beappreciated, impact dissipating balls in accordance with the presentdisclosure can be utilized for other sporting endeavors, such as sportsin which players typically impact the ball with their head. For suchsports, such as futsal, the impact dissipating balls can be manufacturedwith padding while retaining relevant competition ball requirements.With regard to futsal balls incorporating padding during themanufacturing process, for example, the futsal ball can be spherical,made of leather or other suitable material, of a circumference of notless than 62 cm and not more than 64 cm, not less than 400 grams normore than 440 grams in weight at the start of the match, and of apressure equal to 0.4-0.6 atmosphere (400-600 g/cm²) at sea level. Tothe extent that FIFA regulations may vary, or the ball will be used forsports having different requirements, impact dissipating balls can bemanufactured in accordance with the present disclosure to comply withthose regulations and/or requirements.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one exampleembodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,”“some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment, or “in anembodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particularfeatures, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablemanner in one or more embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, example partial cutaway views of simplifiedsoccer balls 100, 200, and 300 are depicted showing various internallayers thereof. As is to be appreciated, soccer balls 100, 200, and 300can schematically represent relatively inexpensive soccer balls, as maybe designed for recreational or some lower levels of competitive play.Soccer balls 100, 200, and 300 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 can alsoschematically represent high quality, relatively expensive soccer ballsdesigned for high levels of competitive play. Highest quality soccerballs, for example, are typically hand stitched with a 5-ply twistedpolyester cord, mid-priced balls are typically machine-stitched, and lowend balls are typically glued together. Nevertheless, soccer ballsmanufactured in accordance with the present disclosure can incorporateone or more impact dissipating padding layers.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a soccer ball 100 is shown having a core 102.In some embodiments, the core 102 is an airtight bladder which is filledwith air to appropriately pressurize the soccer ball 100 for gameplay. Apadding layer 120 is in contact with the core 102 and either partiallyor entirely surrounds the core 102. As schematically depicted by lininglayer 104, one or more layers of lining can be placed between thepadding layer 120 and the cover 106. The composition and number oflining layers 104 can vary. As compared to conventional balls, thenumber of layers 104 and/or the size of the core 102 can be reduced toaccommodate the thickness of the padding layer 120, as to maintain thetotal outer dimension of the soccer ball 100 at the desired size. Insome embodiments, lining layer(s) 104 are polyester and/or cotton bonded(laminated) together to give the ball strength, structure and bounce. Insome embodiments, the lining layer(s) 104 is a fiber-reinforcedcomposite. Professional soccer balls or other higher end balls usuallyhave four or more layers of lining. Promotional or practice balls may beconstructed with less layers of lining.

The cover 106 can be made from, for example, synthetic leather made fromPU (polyurethane) and PVC (poly vinyl chloride). As is to beappreciated, there are many variations of synthetic leather that can beused for cover 106, such as AI-2000, Japanese Teijin Cordley,Microfiber, English Porvair, Korean Ducksung, Leather Art PakistanSynthetic Leather, and PVC (poly vinyl chloride). The highest qualitysoccer balls used in competition and by professionals are typicallyproduced by using AI-2000, Cordley, Ducksung, Mircofiber or other typesof PU synthetic leather. Promotional soccer balls or practice balls areusually constructed with Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC) or rubber (molded orstitched) covers. For indoor soccer balls, the cover 106 can be madewith a felt material similar to what is used on a tennis ball.

The cover 106 can comprise of a plurality of panels, the differentsegments that make up the outside covering of the ball, having similaror different shapes. The number of panels can vary for each design. A32-panel ball is an example type of soccer ball, which is essentially aBuckminster Ball consisting of 20 hexagonal (six sided) and 12pentagonal (five sided) surfaces. Panels of cover 106 can be stitched,glued, or thermally molded, such that when the soccer ball 100 isinflated, it is nearly a perfect sphere. Other traditional designs are18 and 26-panel constructions, used in various professional leagues,including Major League Soccer, Scottish and English leagues. Somedesigns use less panels, such as 6 paneled soccer balls that arethermally bonded and do not utilized stitching.

While FIG. 1, depicts the padding layer positioned between a liner layer104 and the core 102, other arrangements can be utilized, some examplesof which are depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 depicts a soccer ball200 having a cover 206, lining layer 204 and an inner core 202. Thesecomponents can be similar, for example, to the similar components inFIG. 1. In this embodiment, a padding layer 220 is positioned betweenthe cover 206 and the lining layer 204. In other configurations,multiple padding layers can utilized, such as a first padding layerpositioned between the cover 206 and the lining layer 204 and a secondpadding layer (not shown) positioned between the lining layer 204 andthe inner core 202. In some embodiments, the padding layer 220 can serveas one or more of the lining layers 204, thereby eliminating the needfor the lining layer 204 or at least reducing the number of layersincluded in the lining layer 204. FIG. 3 depicts a soccer ball 300having similar components to the soccer balls 100, 200 of FIGS. 1-2. Inthis embodiment, however, the padding layer 320 is the outermost layerof the soccer ball 300, such that the padding layer 320 will be directlyimpacted by players during gameplay. The padding layer 320 can beseparate from the cover 306 or laminated therewith. In someconfigurations, the padding layer 320 is stitched, glued, or thermallybonded to the cover 306 (which may serve as a part of the lining layer).Additionally or alternatively, the soccer ball 300 can include thelining layer 304 and the padding layer 320 is applied directly to thelining layer 304. As with other embodiments, the inner core 302 can bepositioned at the center of the soccer ball 300. The padding layer 320can be comprised of multiple panels, as described above with regard tothe cover 106.

While FIGS. 1-3 schematically depict soccer balls for the purposes ofillustration, it is to be appreciated other types of multi-layer sportsballs can be manufactured using similar techniques to provide impactdissipating functionality. Such functionality may be desirable forsports using balls that are particularly hard (i.e., baseballs) and/orballs that travel at high rates of speed (i.e., Jai alai). All suchimpact dissipating sports balls are intended to be covered by thepresent disclosure.

The padding layer utilized by soccer balls in accordance with thepresent disclosure, such as padding layers 120, 220, and 320, anddescribed in more detail below, can be comprised of any suitablematerial that provides the desirable characteristics and response toimpact. For example, the padding layer can comprise one or more of thefollowing materials: thermoplastic polyurethane (available, for example,from Skydex Technologies), military-grade materials, impact absorbingsilicone, D30® impact absorbing material, impact gel, wovens,non-wovens, cotton, elastomers, IMPAXX® energy-absorbing foam (availablefrom Dow Automotive), DEFLEXION shock absorbing material (available fromDow Corning), styrofoam, polymer gels, general shock absorbingelastometers, visco-elastic polymers, PORON® XRD impact protection(available from Rogers Corporation), Sorbothane® (available fromSorbothane Inc.), Neoprene (available from DuPont), Ethyl Vinyl Acetate,impact-dispersing gels, foams, rubbers, and so forth. In someembodiments, the padding material can be auxetic, such as Armourgel S2®(available from Armourgel Limited). As such, the padding material caninclude geometries that structurally define a plurality of deformablevoids between two layers of the soccer ball. During impact, the paddingmaterial (and the voids defined thereby) can deform proximate to thearea of impact to dissipate the impact. The deformable voids can bevisually concealed from an observer of the ball, such that the ballvisually emulates a conventional soccer ball. In some embodiments, thepadding material can also locally densify as the load rises.

The padding layer can be attached to one or more layers (such as thecore 202, the cover 206 and/or lining layer 204 of FIG. 2, for example).In some embodiments, the padding layer 340 can be generally disconnectedand “floating” between the layers. In some embodiments, the paddinglayer is coupled (i.e., glued, laminated, stitched, etc.) to one morecomponents of the soccer ball. In some embodiments, padding layers inaccordance with the present systems and methods can comprise a ratedependent material, such as a rate dependent low density foam material.Examples of suitable low density foams include polyester and polyetherpolyurethane foams. In some embodiments, such foams to have a densityranging from about 5 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) to about 35 pcf), moreparticularly from about 10 pcf to about 30 pcf, and more particularlystill from about 15 pcf to about 25 pcf. PORON® and PORON XRD® areavailable from Rogers Corporation, which are open cell, microcellularpolyurethane foams, is an example of one suitable rate dependent foam.However, in order to provide impact resistance, the padding layer can beany suitable energy absorbing or rate dependent materials. As such,other rate dependent foams or other types of materials can be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4-6 depict soccer balls having internally positioned paddinglayers, which are shown in phantom for the purposes of illustration.Referring first to FIG. 4, soccer ball 400 comprises a plurality ofcover panels 402 that are joined to collectively form the outer cover.While FIG. 4 depicts a soccer ball having hexagonal and pentagonal coverpanels 402, it is to be readily appreciated that the particular style ofpanels can vary without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In this embodiment, the padding layer is comprised of aplurality of padding panels 404 that are generally shaped commensuratelywith the cover panels 402. FIG. 5 depicts an example soccer ball 500having a plurality of cover panels 502. The padding panels 504 aregenerally triangularly shaped and attached together to form a sphere.FIG. 6 depicts an example soccer ball 600 having a plurality of coverpanels 602. In this embodiment, the various padding panels 604collective form a sphere, with each padding panel 604 spanning aplurality of cover panels 602.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-14, various non-limiting example cover paneland padding panel arrangements are depicted. While the cover panelsand/or padding panels are pentagonal in the illustrated embodiments, itis to be readily appreciated that a variety of different shaped coverpanels and/or padding panels can be utilized without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment in which apadding panel 704 serves as the cover panel. A plurality of paddingpanels 704 can be joined to form the outer surface of a soccer ball,such as the soccer ball 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 depicts acover panel 802 that is coupled to a padding panel 804 that issubstantially the same shape (i.e., coextensive). Such arrangement canbe manufactured using a variety of suitable processes. For example, asheet of the material for the cover panel can be joined to a sheet ofpadding material and then cut into the component as shown in FIG. 8.Alternatively, the cover panel 802 can be formed separately from thepadding panel 804 and then subsequently coupled using a suitableprocess, such as gluing, stitching, and so forth. In FIG. 8, the coverpanel 802 is positioned on the exterior of the padding panel 804, suchthat the cover panel 802 forms the exterior surface of a soccer ball.FIG. 9 depicts a similar arrangement as FIG. 8, with the padding panellayer 904 being coextensive with the cover panel layer 902. In thisembodiment, however, the padding panel 904 forms the exterior surface ofa soccer ball. Referring now to FIG. 10, a multi-layered arrangement isdepicted. In this embodiment, a padding panel 904 is positioned betweena first cover panel 902 and a second cover panel 906. In someembodiments, the three layers are laminated to form a unitary panel thatcan be used to form the outer covering of a soccer ball.

While FIGS. 7-10 depict padding panels as being generally coextensivewith cover panels, this disclosure is not so limited. Referring to FIG.11, for example, a padding panel 1104 is coupled to a cover panel 1102and the overall dimension of the padding panel 1104 is less than thedimensions of the cover panel 1102. An overhang is formed around theperiphery of the cover panel 1102, which can be utilized, for example,during the manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the overhang isutilized when attaching adjacent cover panels 1102 (i.e., to receivestitching and/or glue). FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 in that anoverhang is formed on the cover panel 1202 due to the smaller size ofthe padding panel 1204. In this embodiment, however, the padding panel1204 is positioned on the exterior side of the cover panel 1202.

FIGS. 13-14 depict example arrangements in which a padding panel iscoupled to multiple cover panels. Referring first to FIG. 13, a firstcover panel 1302 and an adjacent cover pane 1306 are both coupled to asurface of a padding layer 1304. FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment in whichthe padding layer 1404 spans multiple cover panels, shown as coverpanels 1402, 1406.

FIG. 15 depicts a cutaway view of an example soccer ball 1500illustrating an example arrangement of layers. The soccer ball 1500 hasa cover 1506, a padding layer 1520, a lining layer 1504, and a core wall1502. The cover 1506 has an outer surface 1510 defining the outersurface of the soccer ball 1500 and the core wall 1502 has an innersurface 1512 that defines an airtight chamber. Outer surface 1510 can betextured to aid in the aerodynamics of the soccer ball to provideconsistent performance. While FIG. 15 depicts the padding layer 1520positioned between the cover 1506 and the lining layer 1504, the paddinglayer 1520 can be positioned in a variety of different locations withinthe soccer ball 1500. In some embodiments, the padding layer 1520 can bethe core wall (when the core all forms a bladder) or can be the coreitself (when the soccer ball has a solid core). Further, while onepadding layer 1520 is illustrated, a plurality of padding layers can beutilized. Each separate padding layer can be manufactured from the sameor different type of padding materials. For example, the padding layerpositioned closer to the exterior of the soccer ball 1500 may be closedfoam to reduce moisture absorption and retention.

As depicted in FIG. 15, each layer can have a thickness, with thethickness of the core wall 1506 shown as T1, the thickness of thepadding layer 1520 shown as T2, the thickness of the lining layer 1504shown as T3, and the thickness of the core wall 1502 shown as T4. Insome embodiments, the thickness T1 is in the range of about 1 mm toabout 10 mm, the thickness T2 is in the range of about 1 mm to about 50mm, the thickness T3 is in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, andthe thickness T4 is in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. In someembodiments, the thickness of the padding layer (or total thickness of aplurality of padding layers) comprises at least 10% of the overallthickness of the composite layers (e.g., T2/(T1+T2+T3+T4)*100). In someembodiments, the thickness of the padding layer (or total thickness of aplurality of padding layers) comprises at least 25% of the overallthickness of the composite layers. In some embodiments, the thickness ofthe padding layer (or total thickness of a plurality of padding layers)comprises at least 50% of the overall thickness of the composite layers.In some embodiments, the thickness of the padding layer (or totalthickness of a plurality of padding layers) comprises at least 50% ofthe overall thickness of the composite layers. In some embodiments, thethickness of the padding layer (or total thickness of a plurality ofpadding layers) comprises at least 75% of the overall thickness of thecomposite layers. In some embodiments, the thickness of the paddinglayer comprises at least 90% of the overall thickness of the compositelayers.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, a padding layer of a soccerball in accordance with the present disclosure can in include structuresthat define a plurality of deformable voids. FIGS. 16A-16B depict acutaway view of an example soccer ball 1600 illustrating an examplearrangement of layers that includes a layer defining a plurality ofdeformable voids. The soccer ball 1600 has a cover 1606, a padding layer1620, a lining layer 1604, and a core wall 1602. The cover 1606 has anouter surface 1610 defining the outer surface of the soccer ball 1600and the core wall 1602 has an inner surface 1612 that defines apressurizable airtight chamber. The outer surface 1610 can be texturedto aid in the aerodynamics of the soccer ball to provide consistentperformance. While FIG. 16 depicts the padding layer 1620 positionedbetween the cover 1606 and the lining layer 1604, the padding layer 1620can be positioned in a variety of different locations within the soccerball 1600. In some embodiments, the padding layer 1620 can be the corewall (when the core all forms a bladder) or can be the core itself (whenthe soccer ball has a solid core). Further, while one padding layer 1620is illustrated, a plurality of padding layers can be utilized. Eachseparate padding layer can be manufactured from the same or differenttype of padding materials. For example, the padding layer positionedcloser to the exterior of the soccer ball 1600 may be closed foam toreduce moisture absorption and retention and the inwardly positionedpadding layers can include the structures defining the deformable voids.

The padding layer 1620 is shown to include a webbing 1652 that defines aplurality of deformable voids 1650. In this embodiment, the deformablevoids 1650 are positioned between the cover 1606 and the lining layer1604, but this disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, thewebbing 1652 may define more than 1 deformable voids per square inch. Insome embodiments, the webbing 1652 may define more than 4 deformablevoids per square inch. In some embodiments, the webbing 1652 may definemore than 8 deformable voids per square inch. In some embodiments, thewebbing 1652 may define more than 15 deformable voids per square inch.Further, while the deformable voids 1650 are shown as being generallyhemispherically shaped, any suitable shape can be used without departingfrom the scope of the current disclosure. For instance, in someembodiments, the deformable voids 1650 are spherical and positionedcompletely internal to the padding layer 1620. In some embodiments, thedeformable voids 1650 are cylindrical/tubular and extend eitherpartially or completely through the padding layer 1620. As is to beappreciated, a wide variety of deformable void shapes can be utilized.In any event, the webbing 1652 can provide sufficient structuralrigidity to maintain the shape of the deformable voids 1650 while in arelaxed state (shown in FIG. 16A) and allow deformation of thedeformable voids 1650 while an external force is applied to the outersurface 1610 of the soccer ball 1600.

As depicted in FIG. 16A, and similar to FIG. 15, each layer can have athickness, with the thickness of the core wall 1606 shown as T1, thethickness of the padding layer 1620 shown as T2, the thickness of thelining layer 1604 shown as T3, and the thickness of the core wall 1602shown as T4. In some embodiments, the thickness T1 is in the range ofabout 1 mm to about 10 mm, the thickness T2 is in the range of about 1mm to about 50 mm, the thickness T3 is in the range of about 1 mm toabout 10 mm, and the thickness T4 is in the range of about 1 mm to about10 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the padding layer (or totalthickness of a plurality of padding layers) comprises at least 10% ofthe overall thickness of the composite layers. In some embodiments, thethickness of the padding layer (or total thickness of a plurality ofpadding layers) comprises at least 25% of the overall thickness of thecomposite layers. In some embodiments, the thickness of the paddinglayer (or total thickness of a plurality of padding layers) comprises atleast 50% of the overall thickness of the composite layers. In someembodiments, the thickness of the padding layer (or total thickness of aplurality of padding layers) comprises at least 50% of the overallthickness of the composite layers. In some embodiments, the thickness ofthe padding layer (or total thickness of a plurality of padding layers)comprises at least 75% of the overall thickness of the composite layers.In some embodiments, the thickness of the padding layer comprises atleast 90% of the overall thickness of the composite layers.

FIG. 16B depicts the soccer ball 1600 with a force being applied to theouter surface 1610, as indicated by arrow 1660. Such force can be from aplayer's head, for instance. The thickness of some of the layers of thesoccer ball 1660 do not change, or do not substantially change, underthe application force. The thickness of the padding layer 1620, however,reduces to a thickness of T2′ at the area of the soccer ball 1600proximate to the application of force 1660. The thickness of the paddingpayer 1620 can be changed from T2 (FIG. 16A) to T2′ (FIG. 16B) throughthe deformation of the deformable voids 1650 as the webbing 1652contorts based on the force. In some embodiments, the thickness T2′proximate to the area of the soccer ball 1600 to which the force isapplied can be less than about 80% of the thickness of T2. In someembodiments, the thickness T2′ proximate to the area of the soccer ball1600 to which the force is applied can be less than about 60% of thethickness of T2. In some embodiments, the thickness T2′ proximate to thearea of the soccer ball 1600 to which the force is applied can be lessthan about 40% of the thickness of T2. In some embodiments, thethickness T2′ proximate to the area of the soccer ball 1600 to which theforce is applied can be less than about 25% of the thickness of T2. Thethickness of T2′ can also depend on the level of force applied to theouter surface 1610. Upon the removal of the force 1660, the shape of thedeformable voids 1650 can return to the shape illustrated in FIG. 16A.

While the padding layer 1620 depicts one example arrangement ofdeformable voids 1650 defined by the webbing 1620, a variety ofdifferent types of padding layers can be utilized, some non-limitingexamples of which are depicted in FIGS. 17-18. Referring first to FIG.17, a padding layer 1720, shown in a planar form for clarity, depictsone example type of padding layer that can be incorporated in a soccerball, or other type of ball. The padding layer 1720 has a webbing 1752that structurally defines a plurality of deformable voids 1750. Asshown, the deformable voids 1750 vary in size, shape, and depth. Thethickness T2 of the padding layer 1720 can be in the range of about 1 mmto about 50 mm. Referring now to FIG. 18, a padding layer 1820, which isalso shown in a planar form for clarity, depicts another example type ofpadding layer that can be incorporated in a soccer ball, or other typeof sports ball. The padding layer 1820 has a webbing 1852 thatstructurally defines a plurality of deformable voids 1850. As shown, thedeformable voids 1850 are generally uniform in shape, having a tubularstructure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the paddinglayers 1720 and 1820 can each comprise a plurality of padding panels.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components and multiple components may be replacedby a single component to perform a given function or functions. Exceptwhere such substitution would not be operative, such substitution iswithin the intended scope of the embodiments. While various embodimentshave been described herein, it should be apparent that variousmodifications, alterations, and adaptations to those embodiments mayoccur to persons skilled in the art with attainment of at least some ofthe advantages. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended toinclude all such modifications, alterations, and adaptations withoutdeparting from the scope of the embodiments as set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A soccer ball, comprising: a pressurizableairtight bladder; a lining layer surrounding the pressurizable airtightbladder; a padding layer surrounding the pressurizable airtight bladder,wherein the padding layer comprises a low density foam having a densitywithin the range of about 5 pounds per cubic foot to about 35 pounds percubic foot; and a cover surrounding the padding layer, wherein the covercomprises a plurality of cover panels.
 2. The soccer ball of claim 1,wherein the low density foam has a density within the range of about 10pounds per cubic foot to about 30 pounds per cubic foot.
 3. The soccerball of claim 2, wherein the low density foam has a density within therange of about 15 pounds per cubic foot to about 25 pounds per cubicfoot.
 4. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein the padding layer isimmediately adjacent to the cover.
 5. The soccer ball of claim 4,wherein at least a portion of the padding layer is coupled to theadjacent to the cover.
 6. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein thepadding layer is immediately adjacent to the pressurizable airtightbladder.
 7. The soccer ball of claim 6, wherein at least a portion ofthe padding layer is coupled to the adjacent to the pressurizableairtight bladder.
 8. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein the paddinglayer comprises a plurality of padding panels.
 9. The soccer ball ofclaim 8, wherein each of the plurality of padding panels is generallyaligned with a corresponding cover panel of the cover.
 10. The soccerball of claim 8, wherein the total number of padding panels is less thanthe total number of cover panels.
 11. The soccer ball of claim 8,wherein the total number of padding panels is equal to the total numberof cover panels.
 12. The soccer ball of claim 8, wherein the totalnumber of padding panels is greater than to the total number of coverpanels.
 13. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein the padding layerdefines a plurality of deformable voids.
 14. A soccer ball, comprising:a pressurizable airtight bladder; a lining layer surrounding thepressurizable airtight bladder; a padding layer surrounding thepressurizable airtight bladder, wherein the padding layer defines aplurality of deformable voids; and a cover surrounding the paddinglayer, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of cover panels.
 15. Thesoccer ball of claim 14, wherein the padding layer is immediatelyadjacent to the cover.
 16. The soccer ball of claim 15, wherein at leasta portion of the padding layer is coupled to the adjacent to the cover.17. The soccer ball of claim 14, wherein the padding layer isimmediately adjacent to the pressurizable airtight bladder.
 18. Thesoccer ball of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the padding layeris coupled to the adjacent to the pressurizable airtight bladder. 19.The soccer ball of claim 14, wherein at least some of the plurality ofdeformable voids are hemispherically-shaped.
 20. The soccer ball ofclaim 14, wherein at least some of the plurality of deformable voids aretubular-shaped.
 21. The soccer ball of claim 14, wherein the paddinglayer is visually concealed by the cover.
 22. A soccer ball, comprising:a pressurizable airtight bladder; a lining layer surrounding thepressurizable airtight bladder; a padding layer surrounding thepressurizable airtight bladder, wherein the padding layer comprises aplurality of padding panels; and a cover surrounding the pressurizableairtight bladder, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of coverpanels.
 23. The soccer ball of claim 22, wherein the total number ofpadding panels is less than the total number of cover panels.
 24. Thesoccer ball of claim 22, wherein the total number of padding panels isequal to the total number of cover panels.
 25. The soccer ball of claim22, wherein the total number of padding panels is greater than the totalnumber of cover panels.
 26. The soccer ball of claim 22, wherein each ofthe plurality of padding panels is coupled to a respective one of theplurality of cover panels.